Cruising with the Buckleys: On to new horizons

Sun, May 5th-Long Island
      Decided it was time to move on and get back to the quieter spots we have become accustomed to. Civilization is great for a while but not why we are cruising. Our plan was to head south to explore southern Long Island and the Jumentos but like all plans we tend to adjust with the weather. For the shortest route south we need to pass thru the Hog Cay Cut and this has to be done at high tide even with our shallow draft. Had hoped to anchor and wait out the tide while exploring the area but it was to rough for comfort and decided to continue on to Thompsons Bay, Long Island. Anchored by 3 pm and had a quiet evening.
Conception I
Mon-Conception Island
     Motor sailed north then east into the open ocean and made landfall at Conception by 5 pm. With the wind direction we chose to anchor on the beautiful east side but were exposed to a swell that made for a rolly night. Had planned to spend a couple of days here but as usual changed plans.

Tues- Rum Cay

    We have wanted to visit Rum Cay on previous trips but the weather had always kept us away. With light winds from a favorable direction predicted we set out under sail and made landfall by mid afternoon. The marina at Rum has been closed for a few years due to Hurricane damage but we heard that you could still tie up at their docks as long as you could make it in the shallow channel. Having bright sun overhead and a rising tide we carefully made our way in among numerous coral heads and were welcomed at the docks by the owners. Bobby and Grow made us feel at home and recommended a few of the nearby reefs for snorkeling. Later a neighbor Tyler cruising from Fl on a 25 ft Oday offered us a fillet from a nice Grouper he had just speared and invited us to join a few others for a great fish fry in the clubhouse. We had thawed the last of our lobster tails and added 6 tails to the feast. Even though the marina is closed the owners still welcome the use of the facilities and only charge for the normal extras (showers,ice,water, garbage, wifi) but no dock fees(no electric). In it's heyday this must have been a hopping place as a mecca for divers and sportfisherman. Hopefully the owner Bobby can return it to its previous glory and we wish him all the best.


diorama from abandoned resort


Failed marina excavated in limestone

Wed-Thurs
After a very warm and buggy night with no breeze we were off for more snorkeling while the seas were calm. Biked both days on the few roads in this quiet paridise visiting another huge failed resort, the great ocean beaches, and the abandonded salt works that were the livelyhood of the island in colonial days. There are very few cars and only a few atvs which made the biking a joy. The nights are still buggy but judicious use of screens and a bit more breeze has made it bearable.That evening we invited Tyler aboard for another meal of grilled grouper and still had enough left to freeze.
Sat evening we were included in a pot luck attended by about 20 boaters. A local fisherman supplied a huge Mahi and our contribution was a big batch of conk fritters and smoked sailfish spread. A big thunderstorm blew thru as we partied and we were happy to be in the protected harbor.


Boaters pot luck in marina clubhouse


awaiting a meal


crazy kids teasing the resident sharks

Fri and Sat- Conception Island West

Time to move on while the winds are fair and we sailed back to Conception Island this time anchoring in the west bay. Conception is totally undeveloped as it is part of the Bahamas National Park. Chris has decided that this is her newest favorite spot but with no services (water) and limited protection is only visited in settled weather. Spent our days on the pristine beaches and exploring the extensive system of creeks and tidal flats inland. Numerous nurse sharks, hundreds of sea turtles, birds and conk abound in these shallow waters. Since we plan on traveling on Mon we celebrated mothers day and Chris was Queen for the day. I pulled the last of our stone crab claws from the freezer and we had a feast that included a berry tart I baked from our home canned stores.


tidal flats-up creek on Conception Is

Sun- Cat Island

With a cold front predicted on Mon we move on to better protection on Cat Island. A great sail across the open ocean waters brought us into the Bight in southern Cat to anchor in the gin clear waters by 4pm. Brought in a great Mahi as we neared landfall and it put up a real fight leaping skyward at least 6 times. It was followed in by another smaller mahi that was bright blue. The colors of these fish are amazing but fade within minutes of landing them. Chris did a great job handling the boat and gaffing the fish. Since we were under full sail running wing on wing with the jib poled out there was no easy way for her to slow the boat. Once again the freezer is full and we had another great meal.